"Lord Mullion's Secret" is a throwback to the classic British mystery of the 1930's. Charles Honeybath of the Royal Academy, who has appeared in previous Innes books, is here engaged to paint a portrait of the lady of a castle.

Yes, a castle, inhabited by types beloved of British mystery writers of the past. There is a noble family, including a dotty old aunt. There are a disagreeable son, a rather mysterious young gardener of obviously superior breeding and two nice girls. There is a fake miniature substituted for a valuable Elizabethan one. In fact, the book has everything but sliding panels and secret rooms. And the prose matches. "You scoundrel, stop that instantly!" says Honeybath. Lovely.